It’s Christmas, and I’ve got some “WISHES” to hand out. Deserving souls? I’d like to think so ….

There are some good deeds and decent people that need recognition. And, yeah, there are notable folks on the other end, too. We’ll all get our DUE, thru next Friday.

As promised, I plan on including EVERYBODY.

Today, it’s those who need a little bit of LUCK for Christmas – and as we greet 2010 …..

GOOD LUCK – Arthur B. Modell

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The former Ravens/Browns majority owner is back on the list of finalists for Hall of Fame induction. This has been Art Modell’s plight for the 6th time in the past 7 years. Obviously, the NFL pioneer needs a little bit of luck – and he needs it very soon.

The current list of finalists will be paired down to 15, on January 7th. And, the 2010 inductees will be announced prior to the Super Bowl, on February 6th, in Miami. Thus, it’s about to get very tough for Art.

As we know, Tony Grossi, is getting ready to mount his high horse, in Cleveland. He’s been successful in soliciting opposition to Modell’s enshrinement in football’s class of immortality. Here’s to hoping Art Modell finally avoids the ill-will and personal disparities of the past.

He’s Hall of Fame worthy and I hope he’s lucky enough to realize it – SOON. I wish Art the very best of luck, this holiday season – and early, in 2010.
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BAD LUCK – Tony Grossi

Whenever he gets a chance, Tony Grossi puts the BAD MOUTH to Art Modell. He can say it’s not a “personal mission.” Bullsh*# …..

Tony Grossi is a ONE MAN GANG and his bullying is themed at depriving Art Modell of a serious whiff at election into the Hall of Fame. At some point, Tony, you’ve gotta let it go. Trust me, you’ll feel better.

Everybody knows your stance. We’ve heard it more times than Mycheal Miller’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. What gives, Tony? Has something changed? Can the committee just listen to your recorded remarks from a couple years ago?

Or, has Art Modell done some additional heinous acts to Cleveland and YOU, since his last stint as a finalist?

I understand Tony Grossi’s frustration.

I think P. Thomas Shanahan singlehandedly squashed the immediate future of the Anne Arundel County Police Department. The agency is worse off, because of his 8-year stewardship, as Chief. It’s my opinion and I’ve been vocal about it. But. I’ve also let it go.

Heck, I hope he Facebook’s me.

And, I hope Tony Grossi gives it a rest, when Art Modell’s name gets bantered around be committee members. If he doesn’t, then I’ll simply wish lots of bad luck on him …..
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GOOD LUCK – The Soprano’s Cast

It’s hard to believe it’s been more than two years since we last saw Tony Soprano fading from our TV screens to the sound of Journey’s, Don’t Stop Believin’ …..

I’ll be honest, I’m a junkie for anything connected to The Sopranos. Thus, I was really disappointed to see the show end. Personally, I felt more storylines existed – and this was really just about James Gandolfini’s reluctance to take the show any further.

And, Tony always gets his way, right?

Meanwhile, the careers of most of the mob-cast have gone nowhere – and, I mean NOWHERE.

Where is AJ, these days? Hmmm ….. how about Meadow, Janice and Carmine? A fair number of the show’s actors have been pretty scarce since the finale’. Ahh well, I guess that’s the way this biz goes …..

Michael Imperioli (Christopher) and Vince Curatola have realized some mild success with roles on ABC’s Life On Mars – which was canceled earlier this year. Drea De Matteo is enjoying some sitcom credibility, with a part on Desperate Housewives. And, Edie Falco is portraying a micro-managing, pill addicted health care provider, in Nurse Jackie, on Showtime.

Yeah, I’m being selfish. I wanna see the cast back together, in a MOVIE or a renewal of the series. Yeah, I know it’s not happening. But, I can always hope. Meanwhile, I wish good luck for all these actors.
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BAD LUCK – James Gandolfini

Yeah, I’m being selfish. But, I figure the only way I’ll ever see a reunion of The Sopranos will be if Jim Gandolfini needs it. If he doesn’t, we won’t …..

As with many TV actors, I think Ole’ Tony got way too big for his britches. He’s in Hollywood, now. And, as a result, we’re absolutely STUCK on Sunday nights.

Heck, they need fewer informal coaches on the sideline, and more STARTERS back on the field.

The Ravens have put themsleves in this spot – 3 games to go and they still must hope for help from the Dolphins and Broncos. We’re a far removed distance from that #1 ranking on the ESPN polls, huh?

Bears – WIN

Steelers – WIN

Raiders – WIN

And, lets just cross our fingers. Then again, if we lose just one more game, we can start talking about baseball – and how nice it would’ve been to see this guy in an Orioles uniform …..

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BAD LUCK – See Below ……

Get the picture ???
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GOOD LUCK – A Few Underdogs

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – The luster is starting to wear off. It’s abasolutely “PUT UP” time. Junior’s doubters are increasing and it’s starting to look like he might not be among NASCAR’s elite talents. I wish him luck and hope he has a GREAT 2010.
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Erin Andrews – She’s had a very tough year. Nobody should have their privacy invaded – especially to the extremes Erin Andrews was subjected. Lets hope she has a good 2010 – God knows I’d like to see more of her on ESPN.
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Brian Billick – I wouldn’t say he’s an “underdog,” but this is the most fitting place to express my wishes for The Coach. Before he ever became affiliated with WNST, I was one of Brian Billick’s staunchest supporters. I’m a fan …..

Since his departure from the Ravens, I think many Baltimoreans have enjoyed access to the “Real Brian.” He’s approachable, modest and generous with his time and shared thoughts. I really hope we see him on the sidelines, again, soon.

Samari Rolle – Aside from football, I hope Samari is doing well. I wish him the very best and hope he has a great 2010. I wish him luck in whatever he does …..
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Steve Johnson – This kid has seen baseball’s impersonal, business side way too many times in the past couple years. Honestly, I think he really needs some stability and a single zip code, for an entire season.

I hope he proves the Dodgers wrong. I hope he makes the Orioles think twice about not protecting him. I hope he makes it BIG TIME, in the “City By The Bay.” Good luck, Steve.
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BAD LUCK – These Guys Need It

Jimmie Johnson – No offense, but I’ve had my fill of Jimmie Johnson. He now has 4 consecutive NASCAR Championships and he’s tied with Jeff Gordon for career titles. NASCAR’s “Chase For The Cup” program stinks. Jimmie Johnson is a good racecar driver – but, he can’t carry Jeff Gordon’s jock ….
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Kanye West – If I had to burn every bit of BAD LUCK on one person, it would be Kanye West. He deserves it. He’s beyond being a bumbling buffoon. He’s an idiot and a radical, hateful dude. I can picture him with Vanilla Ice and Jose Canseco, on a reality series in a few years. I’m wishing him luck to start that downfall – NOW.
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New Yankee Stadium – The Steinbrenners should be ashamed of their “Bronx Bandbox.” There’s nothing like homefield advantage, huh? Now we know why they insisted on breaking bank with Mark Teixeira’s LEFT HANDED STICK.

Daniel Snyder – I don’t think the guy really GETS IT. He’s bad for the game and his core values really undermine what’s decent and good. But, this generally happens to the “silver spoon” generation.

I think rich dudes who really worked for their fortune possess a humility rarely found in the tycoons who inherit or luck into their wads. Heck, it’s the determining difference between these people …..

VS.

Dan Snyder is a trainwreck owner. His teams will never succeed, because they’re led by a man who doesn’t really lead. Mark my words, Jim Zorn will be a successful head coach, in the NFL. But, it won’t come in Washington.

I don’t need to wish Dan Snyder bad luck – he screws things up on his own accord. But, what the heck, he’s getting a bad luck wish, anyway.

I’d like to be any of these people. Or Tim Tebow. More Tim Tebow, but apparently the role is already filled.

Speaking of Tim Tebow (and any time a quarterback’s name is brought up, we ARE speaking about Tim Tebow); I’m not sure when they do the voting for TIME Magazine’s Man of the Year; but I’m reasonably certain there are only 3 viable candidates….

-Jay-Z
-Tim Tebow
-Sergio from the drive-thru at the Chick-Fil-A in Owings Mills

And while you’re thinking I’m leaning towards Sergio; I’m not. There’s only one answer to this riddle…..

After dismantling Miguel Cotto, rumor has it the Pac-Man will face Floyd Mayweather next, and the rumor is the fight could happen at Yankee Stadium. Which was previously only home to people who abuse steroids and have purple lips……

(Editor’s note: This is a good place for me to remind you this. F*ck the Yankees.)

So I’m confused…..do the Redskins NOT suck now? And as far as the Broncos are concerned-I know they started the season 6-0 and all; but if a team lines up for a 53 yard field goal, calls timeout, and THEN puts a pass-catching tight end on the field; do you REALLY not know that they are going to run a fake???

And while I am NOT happy to see the Bengals winning, anything that makes these people suffer is okay by me….

I want to sit here and tell you about how Dunbar and company won their High School Football playoff games this weekend, but I’m just not able to follow anymore. And since the “Jailbait” bit is a “Top 10 Baseball Distractions” staple, I might have to dig deep here.

A quick note here, because I have NO IDEA where else to put this in. I have a friend who attended Oklahoma-and she was lamenting to me that she had to look ALL THE WAY to the 2nd page to find out what time the Sooners played Saturday because they’re no longer ranked in the AP poll. I asked her if she was able to find the Maryland-Virginia Tech internet listing somewhere on page 357.

Hmmm…..what else do I have to throw in here? Ashley Tisdale from High School Musical seems lovely…..

Okay, that’s about all I got. And again, Congratulations to all of the High School football winners. Rich from Westminster will want me to point out that Linganore won again. Now I have. Which means I can get on with something else. Like Jenga!

Nice little wedding you had there, EJ. I know you’ve become a star up in Minnesota and everything; but I’m a little surprised you didn’t give your old pal Glenn Clark an invite. Sure, you’ve become a playmaker on one of the best defenses in the NFL; but I’m not sure if you heard this-I’ve become “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Radio Entertainment Today.” Which-I’m pretty sure-is just as awesome. Plus, I could’ve totally gotten you a Jack LaLanne juicer as a gift. If you already had one, you could just give it back to me!

Yes, I realize the Ravens season opener is just 13 days away AND Matt Cassel might not be taking any snaps, at M&T Bank Stadium …..

And, the New York Yankees are in town. Which means the Orioles will be getting demolished, at the hands of Derek Jeter, A’Rod and Mark Teixeira, as they enjoy their “home away from home,” for three nights.

The overwhelming, sad truth is Yankees fans have held a death-grip on this city, during their team’s visits, for close to a decade. Tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday will be no different.

However, if you are looking for something different to occupy your Monday evening …..

NBC’s Dateline will take an in-depth look into the murder of Steve McNair. The program will focus on the circumstances of McNair’s death, as well as his personal life. NBC’s Lester Holt teases the piece, by saying “investigators reveal what led McNair to a life where he faced far more dangers off the field, than he ever faced on it.”

The trailer for Monday’s Dateline is found below …..

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32601029#32601029

I’m not a big believer in conspiracy theories. Nor, do I believe the very best criminal investigators known to law enforcement simply fail to uncover the so-called facts found by tabloid journalists. It’s mostly propaganda.

Does the Drew Bennett thing remind anyone else of Marcus Spears’ phantom signing in 2002? Spears agreed to a deal and then backed out the next day to sign a lesser deal in Kansas City.

Who was a Raven longer? Spears, Bennett, or Terrell Owens? Leon Searcy actually had more tenure than all of them.

What should the Ravens do now at WR? I still don’t think Plaxico Burress should be ignored, but he isn’t the answer. Of course, no one left on the scrap heap is the “answer”, but Amani Toomer and Marvin Harrison still look like the best options.

It was an uninspired, lifeless performance in the Bronx this week…..for the most part. But it wasn’t unexpected. July is the time of year when this team just struggles mightily because the season just feels silly to them. There’s nothing to play for, the excitement of a new season is gone, they don’t have a break to get to anytime soon; and they’re all worried about whether or not they’re going to need to move come July 31.

When you’re a bad baseball team, this is usually the most difficult time of the season. Sadly, August and September are rarely much better around here even if they are for other losing teams.

-Drew Bennett is apparently the Ravens’ ‘preferred choice’ at WR. I have had a few ‘preferred choices’ at the end of a long night of drinking that actually WEREN’T as pretty as Drew Bennett. He probably wouldn’t make a major difference, but the Ravens SHOULD bring him in, whether Mason returns or not. If he can’t play, the team will probably be able to tell that before September 13.

-The move to Sarasota is a positive thing. Certainly should have happened a few years ago, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t a positive upgrade for this organization.

-If you don’t understand the significance of Friday night’s soccer match; you probably aren’t a downtown business owner, or anyone who profits off of civic events. The World Football Challenge is a big deal. Artscape is a big deal. Preakness is a big deal. Ravens games are a big deal. The American Idol concert at the Arena is a big deal. Having more of these events come to downtown (or anywhere else in the region) would be a big deal. If there was a NASCAR track built in Aberdeen; THAT would be a big deal. We NEED these events. I’ll write more about it tomorrow for sure.

The Orioles will be back on the field tonight at 7:05pm, weather permitting, to play the Yankees in the middle game of three at the new Yankee Stadium. Last night’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss dropped the Birds to an American League worst 15-30 on the road this season, 1-12 away from home against their A.L. East counterparts, and 2-23 in their last 25 games in Boston, New York, Tampa and Toronto dating back to last season.

O’s rookie David Hernandez was able to shake a long and strenuous first two innings and gave his team a great chance to win Game 1, turning in six strong innings in which he allowed just a single Yankee run. However, it turned out to be all for not when Hideki Matsui took Jim Johnson deep in the bottom of the ninth breaking a 1-1 tie and in the process made the Yankees walk-off winners. What made homer in the ninth even more frustrating for the Birds was that both Cesar Izturis and Brian Roberts were thrown out at the plate just earlier in the top of the eighth. Needless to say, base running miscues have continued to burn this baseball club at an alarming rate.

On the bump for the Orioles this evening will be Rich Hill, who to this date has been very under-whelming since an off-season trade brought the left-hander to Baltimore from the Cubs. His 3-2 record can be considered quite deceiving when noting his 7.22 ERA over 11 starts and one relief appearance this season. With rumors persisting about more young starters arriving from the minors, Hill may not have many more opportunities past tonight to keep pitching for his spot in the rotation.

Sergio Mitre will make tonight’s start for the Yankees and in doing so will make his first appearance in the majors since the 2007 season when he was with the Marlins. Mitre, a 28-year old right-hander has been called up to take Chien Ming Wang’s spot in the rotation, and while at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre has gone 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA. In portions of five separate seasons with the Cubs and Florida, Mitre has compiled a 10-23 record and career ERA of 5.36.

It was funny to see the angry reactions from fans watching last night’s game while I was poking around Facebook and Twitter. Funny mostly because I honestly was completely emotionless when I saw Hideki Matsui crush the game winner. I basically just expected it.

Hard to get angry when you’re watching your favorite team play a team that is plainly better than them.

Tonight at 7:05pm the Orioles will take on the Yankees in the series opener of three in what will be their second trip to the new ballpark in the Bronx. The O’s started the second half dropping two of three in Chicago to the White Sox over the weekend, but in winning the series finale 10-2 yesterday the team received a very strong start out of Jeremy Guthrie and will take a shot of momentum with them to New York City. Though – almost unbelievably – it should be noted that the Orioles have dropped 22 of their last 24 road games against A.L. East opponents dating back to last season.

David Hernandez is officially back on the active roster and will take the ball tonight to make his sixth start this season and in his big league career. He was optioned back to Tiple-A Norfolk just before the All-Star break, but the move had more to do with his contractual flexibility rather than being given a demotion. Hernandez’s 2-2 record and 3.94 ERA shows the hard-throwing right-hander has been effective in his seven total appearances for the big club. At this point it appears that if he’s able to show ability to miss bats he did in Norfolk (12.2 SO/9), the 24-year old just may give himself an opportunity to stick in the rotation for the remainder of the season.

The Yankees will send a familiar foe to the mound this evening as Andy Pettitte will make his 36th career start against the Orioles. Through the first 35, the 37-year old lefty has certainly held the advantage over the Birds in sporting a 24-6 record with a 3.80 ERA, including a 3-0 mark with a 1.93 ERA in’08. However, Pettitte, 8-5 on the year with a 4.85 ERA, was roughed up in his last outing before the All-Star break lasting only 4.1 innings and allowing six earned runs to the Angels out on the West Coast.

Don’t get me started on the Salazar-Meredith trade. If you want to trade Salazar; that’s fine. It really doesn’t bother me much. Salazar IS no more than a nice bench piece. But this idea that you NEEDED to trade Salazar because you couldn’t possibly let go of Felix Pie is nuts.

Also, “Andy MacPhail didn’t do it again.” He acquired a less than mediocre reliever. It was a little for nothing trade.